Mass Cultivation of Trichoderma Harzianum Using Agricultural Waste as a Substrate for the Management of Damping off Disease and Growth Promotion in Chilli Plants (capsicum Annuum L.)

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to cultivate Trichoderma harizanum using agricultural waste as a substrate for the management of damping of disease and growth promotion in Chilli plants. Methods: T. harizanum was isolated from MCRC Main Agricultural Research Station, Chennai, and identified through microscopic observation by using standard keys. F. oxysporum, R. solani, and A.alternata were bought from University of Madras, Guindy Campus Chennai. The antagonistic activity of T. harizanum against pathogenic fungi responsible for damping off disease i.e., Fusarium oxysporum, R. solani, and Alternaria alternate were studied in dual culture method. T. harizanum was formulated with different agricultural wastes i.e., Sugarcane baggase, vermicompost, paddy straw and talcum powder. The efficacy of the different T.harizanum inoculum was tested at green house level by pot culture study using Chilli seedlings. Results: The growth and sporulation of T.harizanum was faster in sugarcane baggase followed by vemicompost, talcum powder and paddy straw. The well T. harizanum grown agricultural substrate directly applied in to the soil for different treatment. After 7th week control plant showed more number of leaves (96%), maximum plant height (75%), maximum number of buds (12%) and fruits formation (10%) was observed in sugarcane baggase alone treatment and talcum powder alone treatment respectively. Conclusion: Sugarcane baggase and talcum powder formulated T. harizanum can be optional not only for the control of damping off disease and also to augment the growth and yield regulation in chilli plants.